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Young actors performing in Kyôto at the Minamiza.
Mikasayama Goten: a fantastic Kabuki period play showing intrigues
in the imperial court in the earliest days of Japan. The dictator Soga no Iruka
has set up his own court and now seeks to destroy his opponent Kamatari.
A mysterious fisherman named Fukashichi (Nakamura Fukunosuke) comes as a messenger from Kamatari,
claiming to bring a message of surrender. Meanwhile, Iruka's younger sister,
Princess Tachibana (???) has fallen in love with a handsome young man named
Motome (Nakamura Toranosuke). But Motome is actually the son of Kamatari and says that he will
only grant her love if she will cut off Iruka's head. Moreover, a country girl
named Omiwa (Nakamura Yonekichi) has also followed Motome. Omiwa's blood and the work of all
these people combined are what is necessary to finally defeat the magical
powers of the evil Iruka.
Osome no Goyaku:
The 5 roles of Osome
A hayagawari dance, based on Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Osome no Nanayaku" michiyuki.
The story of the love suicide of Osome, the daughter of a wealthy merchant and
Hisamatsu, a handsome young man that was an apprentice in her family's shop,
is one of the most popular stories in Kabuki and was dramatized countless times.
In 1813, Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755~1829) wrote up this story as a showpiece for
Iwai Hanshirô V, an onnagata specialist
in female roles. In this dance, the five roles are Osome, Hisamatsu, Omitsu (Hisamatsu's official fiance), the thunder god (raijin) and a snake charmer named Oroku.
Onnagata Nakamura Kazutarô makes a virtuoso appearance in this dance,
acting in all five roles, including the fastest on-stage fast change in all Kabuki.
Featuring Nakamura Toranosuke and Nakamura Fukunosuke as a sarumawashi and a sendô.
Ise Ondo: this play is famous for its classical
depiction of a woman who must pretend to reject her lover for his sake and
for the beautiful and gruesome dance-like killing scene at the end,
done to the music of the Ise pleasure quarters. Fukuoka Mitsugi (Nakamura Toranosuke),
a young apprentice at the holy Shrine of Ise tries to help find the stolen
treasured sword of his clan out of duty to his former lord. Mitsugi has the sword
in his possession, but must now find the certificate of authentication and
in order to get it for him, Okon (Nakamura Yonekichi), a courtesan who is in love with Mitsugi
must pretend to forsake Mitsugi. But he believes that she has truly betrayed
him and further angered by the humiliating accusations of Manno (Nakamura Kazutarô), the head
maid of the Aburaya brothel, Mitsugi inadvertently draws the sword, said
to be cursed, and the rampage begins. Featuring also Nakamura Fukunosuke in the role of the cook Kisuke.
Osome no Goyaku:
The 5 roles of Osome
A hayagawari dance, based on Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Osome no Nanayaku" michiyuki.
The story of the love suicide of Osome, the daughter of a wealthy merchant and
Hisamatsu, a handsome young man that was an apprentice in her family's shop,
is one of the most popular stories in Kabuki and was dramatized countless times.
In 1813, Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755~1829) wrote up this story as a showpiece for
Iwai Hanshirô V, an onnagata specialist
in female roles. In this dance, the five roles are Osome, Hisamatsu, Omitsu (Hisamatsu's official fiance), the thunder god (raijin) and a snake charmer named Oroku.
Onnagata Nakamura Kazutarô makes a virtuoso appearance in this dance,
acting in all five roles, including the fastest on-stage fast change in all Kabuki.
Featuring Nakamura Toranosuke and Nakamura Yonekichi as two sarumawashi.
Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website
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